Alzheimer’s Disease is believed to be caused by the accumulation of beta-amyloid, a toxic insoluble fibrous protein in the brain, which leads to the death of neurons. Thus, to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimers disease, researchers are trying to find ways of the build up of these substances by stimulating the immune system, e.g. with a vaccine, to reduce beta-amyloid in the brain.
Using Agrobacterium-mediated nuclear transformation, we generated transgenic tomatoes for A with tandem repeats. Integration of the human A gene into the tomato genome and its transcription were detected by PCR and Northern blot, respectively. Expression of the A protein was confirmed by western blot and ELISA, and then the transgenic tomato line expressing the highest protein level was selected for vaccination. Mice immunized orally with total soluble extracts from the transgenic tomato plants elicited an immune response after receiving a booster. The results indicate that tomato plants may provide a useful system for the production of human A antigen.
Clearly, this line of research is still in the early stages. All it was able to show was that the tomatoes did elicit an immune response in the test animals. Whether those animals were actually protected against Alzheimers disease was not reported.
Hat Tip: Biotech Weblog, Photo Credit: freestuf
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Eating Fabulous 7 days 11 hours 21 minutes ago Channel: Health & Wellness
In study sponsored by Lichtwer Pharma, a German manufacturer of herbal supplements, UK researchers found that a preparation of artichoke leaf extract helped decrease cholesterol levels inhealthy adults with raised cholesterol levels.
Plasma total cholesterol levels dropped on average 4.2 per cent and increased by 1.9 per cent among the control group, making a 6.1 per cent differential.
These results were observed in test subjects who were given four 320mg Lichtwer Pharma-branded (Cynara) supplements per day for 12 weeks. Seems to be a lot, for so little an effect, but hey, every little bit counts, and who knows what the effects may be if one continues to take the supplements for extended periods?
According to the researchers,
“This study provides further evidence that ALE may help reduce plasma total cholesterol in adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. It is suggested that the type and amount of extract used, in addition to the apparent positive health status of the study population, may have affected the observed magnitude of this response.”
For further reading, you may want to read the manuscript published in Phytomedicine, doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2008.03.001.
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Eating Fabulous 7 days 15 hours 32 minutes ago Channel: Health & Wellness
Did you know the secret to vibrant health is in your blender? Its true. Juicing vegetables provides concentrated nutrition–vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytochemicals, and antioxidants–that is found in virtually no other source.
Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing for Life offers a healthy, alternative approach to juicing, eating well, and cleansing the body and soul with recipes, smoothies, and flavorful soups made from our favorite vegetables.
Want to get a free copy? All you have to do is leave me a comment below and let me know your favorite juice, smoothie or soup made from vegetables . Or you can blog about it, perhaps share a recipe, and if you link back to this post, you get two entries to the draw (make sure you leave a comment so I know!). I’ll draw lots next Friday, July 18!
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Eating Fabulous 7 days 16 hours 25 minutes ago Channel: Health & Wellness
In celebration of their 24th anniversary, Earthbound Farm is giving away three autographed copies of Food to Live By cookbook each day (open to US residents only). All you have to do is fill up an entry form and if yours is the 24th, 124th, or 224th entry of the day, you’ll win a free cookbook.
Check out the reviews and feedback from those who already got a copy of this book at Amazon. It’s seems to be a great general cookbook to have around, whether you’re using organic ingredients or not.
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Eating Fabulous 9 days 16 hours 8 minutes ago Channel: Health & Wellness
Although I’ve written several entries on the health benefits of wine consumption because of its resveratrol content, I hope the posts did not come across as promoting excessive alcohol consumption. I’d like to take this opportunity that while there are scientific evidence supporting the so-called French paradox, most suggest that moderate regular wine consumption is most beneficial. What does moderate mean? One glass? Two glasses? How big a glass?
And what about for those who are watching their alcohol consumption? The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has published Alcohol Facts, a side-by-side comparison of the alcohol, calorie and carbohydrate content per serving of the top 26 domestic and imported alcoholic beverage brands sold in the US. According to their press release:
Designed to help consumers follow the Dietary Guidelines advice that men limit their consumption to two drinks a day and that women restrict their consumption to one drink per day, Alcohol Facts further explains what constitutes a standard drink — 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof (40%) distilled spirits. According to the Dietary Guidelines, these amounts represent moderate drinking. Public health officials warn that consuming too much alcohol contributes to dependence, obesity and a range of diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Want to know how much alcohol is in that bottle of Guinness or glass of Merlot? Click the image above to see a larger version, or download the poster here.
How would you like your 
In study sponsored by Lichtwer Pharma, a German manufacturer of herbal supplements, UK researchers found that a preparation of 
Although I’ve written several entries on the health benefits of wine consumption because of its 